New York for the Holidays: Favorite City Views

December 18, 2015 by Bettie Bearden Pardee

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New York for the holidays–there’s no place quite like it. Treat yourself to sights that will linger as memories for many years. The colorfully-bedecked tree at Rockefeller Center, framed by twinkling trees overlooking the skating rink, makes the festive point.

New York is first about bright lights…

The extravagant “crystal” snowflake, floating over the busy intersection of 5th Avenue and 57th Street, its whiteness a counterpoint to the happy blur of red traffic lights.

Even at Christmas…red, white and blue.

Otherwise mundane street trees, glistening with a dressing of tiny lights, provide a welcome resting place as well as a visual repast.

Even Santa’s favorites get dressed up…

New York is about powerful architecture…

Saint Patrick’s, looking like a giant block of carved ice (or a vision from “Star Wars.”)

Dancing fountains that bring a human scale and whimsicality to an otherwise very imposing Metropolitan Museum of Art.

New York is about grand gestures…

Glamorous “jewels” bedecking the facades of Tiffany and Bulgari, facing each other across 5th Avenue.

Statement-making Christmas red slashed across a 5th Avenue building.

New York is about verdant accents…

Evergreen camellia leaves and snowy magnolias echoing the whiteness of the limestone atrium at the Metropolitan Museum.

“Street dressing” for the holidays (with a New York reminder).

Flowers headed inside, while evergreens stand as sentinels outside.

And New York is about gracious offerings…

At Ralph Lauren, hand calligraphed and personalized gift cards, created on the spot as you shopped (thank you, Ellen Weldon.)

Bettie, I felt I was right there with you and reminded me of the many times I was in the city this time of year, so special. Thank you for sharing this time with me. the Met arrangement of camellia greens and magnolia blooms is breath taking!
Merry, merry,
Cecile

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About Bettie

Author of Private Newport and Living Newport, garden furniture designer, national lecturer, and entertaining expert. An honoree for the second year on "The Salonniere 100" America's Best Party Hosts, she was also the host and creative producer of The Presidential Palate: Entertaining at the White House. Continue reading »